Mum Emma Gibson told today how her face was ripped open in an unprovoked nightclub glassing attack.

Mum Emma Gibson told today how her face was ripped open in an unprovoked nightclub glassing attack.

The 25-year-old needed 25 stitches in a gaping wound to her left cheek and may face months on the waiting list for a plastic surgery consultation.

One minute Emma was celebrating a friend's birthday in the trendy Sea nightclub on Newcastle's Quayside and the next she felt the cold shock of the slash wound.

Today she plucked up the courage to appeal for anyone who knows her attacker to contact police.

"I don't know why anyone would want to do this.

"I can remember standing near the ground level bar area with a drink in my hand and dancing, just full of fun," she said.

"Then there was a cold sensation on my face. I didn't know I had been wounded. I must have been in shock.

"I then remember being outside as I must have been helped out and two police officers were talking to me."

Emma has a daughter who is nearly two and was reluctant to show her little girl the injury.

"I was nervous about how she would react. I didn't want to upset her or other members of my family. I couldn't bear to go out for more than two weeks after it happened.

"I realised I had to be strong for my daughter. She has adapted to seeing my face much better than I could have hoped for.

"She touches the scar and knows something bad has happened. She has helped me carry on with life because I have to look after her needs."

Emma, from Gateshead, still has shooting pains down the side of her face following the attack two months ago.

"I waited for five hours in hospital to get stitches and then the wound began leaking so they had to put butterfly stitches underneath," she said.

"I don't remember much of the incident because my body went into shock.

"I went out with the girls on Saturday night to celebrate my friend's birthday.

"We were all having a nice time just enjoying the music. There was no row with anyone or anything that would have provoked someone to do this to me.

"My friends saw the state of my face after it happened. Somehow I was helped outside and the police were called.

"There must have been a lot of blood but at the time I didn't feel the pain. My friends were horrified to see the state of my face. It looked as if the side of my cheek was hanging off."

Detectives investigating the attack are trying to establish what was used to lunge at Emma. The circular wound suggested a glass was smashed into her face.

Det Con Mark Redfern of Newcastle city centre CID said: "This was a mindless attack on an innocent victim just enjoying a night out with her friends in Sea nightclub.

"We don't know if it was a man or woman who was responsible. I would appeal for anyone who was in the club, near the ground floor dance bar, at around 1.30am on Sunday, March 9, to get in touch with Market Street CID.

"We believe two men in particular may have seen the attack or were standing nearby when it happened.

"Bar staff have said the men asked them for towels to wipe off blood which had fallen on their shirts and arms.

"We want to interview them as witnesses as they could have vital information which would assist the inquiry."

Emma said since the ordeal she has only been out socialising once with friends for a meal in the Gateshead area.

"I can't bear to go into crowds on the Quayside or in any of the nightclubs there. It makes me very nervous," she said.

"I have my friends and family for support but every time I see a crowd I think, is the attacker in there?

"Does the attacker know me or was it a stranger who decided to lash out at random? I have had nightmares about it.

"Whoever did this is wicked and dangerous. I don't want another girl or anyone else to be hurt by this person.

"I would urge anyone who has information to call the police.

"I thought long and hard about whether I wanted people to see my photograph with the injuries but I feel anyone who sees the wounds will want to help the police catch the person who did this to me.

"I have been to my GP and have been put on a waiting list for a specialist consultation.

"I don't know if plastic surgery will completely repair the damage. I have been given special make-up to cover the worst of the scar but I will have to wait up to 26 weeks for a consultation."

* Anyone who can help the inquiry should contact Market Street CID on (0191) 214 6555 ext 62047 or call the freephone Crimestoppers number 0800 555 111.